By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
PILOT — As bulldozers cleared paths at the site of a new community park, a project that began as a vision nearly four years ago got that much closer to reality.
(Pictured above): From left to right, Parks and Rec director Oliver Green, Pilot Lions Club President Bill Wallace, Commissioner Don Lancaster, Parks and Rec Advisory Board Chairman Jan Alford, County Manager Angela Harris, County Commission Chair Penny McGhee, Lion’s Club charter member John Alford, Pilot Lions Past President Ron Bullock, and Commissioner Harry Foy toss dirt as part of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pilot Lions Park on Wednesday.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Franklin County organizers sent four athletes to the state Special Olympics last weekend with a goal of winning and having fun.
They medaled in both categories.
“They did beautifully,” said Wendy Vavrousek, one of the organizers responsible for bringing the Special Olympics back to Franklin County three years ago.
Marty Raybon, right and Chris Davis, left, of Marty Raybon and Full Circle, delight the crowd during the Preddyfest bluegrass festival on Thursday. The three-day festival concludes Saturday at the Preddy family compound on Green Hill Road in Franklinton.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
A Louisburg man remains in the Franklin County jail under more than a quarter million dollar bond on charges that he assaulted his estranged wife in front of their child.
Investigators arrested Michael Todd Wrenn on Monday, charging him with first-degree kidnapping, assault by strangulation, assault on a female, assault inflicting serious injury in the presence of a minor, assault on a child under 12 and violating a domestic violence order.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
YOUNGSVILLE — Town commissioners approved a 2010-11 spending plan that raises garbage fees and taxes — two areas the town said it needed to raise revenues.
The $1.6 million budget raises the town’s tax rate from 57 cents per $100 valuation to 59 cents per $100 valuation.
(Pictured above): Youngsville Administrator Brenda Robbins swears in newly appointed Commissioner Marvin Roberts to the board on Thursday night.
FRANKLINTON — If no last-minute changes are made, town commissioners will be tasked with adopting a budget Tuesday night that raises water rates by 40 percent.
The 2010-11 budget proposed by town staff does not change the tax rate, which is levied at .68 cents per $100 of valuation.
White Level’s Landon Matthews
Well, it’s not these three who are the happy campers although their efforts will help create Happy Campers this summer. Charles Fenske of the Louisburg United Methodist Men is shown presenting a check to Nicki Perry (center) and Cindy Tharrington of the Franklin County Department of Social Services. Happy Camper is an all-volunteer organization that raises money to send needy local children to a variety of summer camps.
Whew! Most days you can’t believe much of what slips out of corporate offices.
And this time we’re not talking about BP — although that undoubtedly will be the topic of several books in coming years.
This time, the dumbest idea of the week slipped through the corporate geniuses at General Motors.
Few things have affected me as much as the faces — especially the eyes — of our neighbors along the Gulf Coast as they seem to die a little more each day, helplessly watching, angry and powerless, as their way of life disappears.
It took a while to figure out why those images of a place I’ve merely visited had such a powerful impact — until I realized it’s because the same thing happened to the area of Ohio I once called home.
GOOD MORNING: I agree with County Commission Chair Penny McGhee in that “we need to move” on this Early College High School proposal, but not by studying it any further.
I also agree with Kelevra in that some of us have been waiting in great anticipation for this “committee” to be formed. “If this ain’t business as usual in Franklin County I don’t know what it is. Maybe if the committee talks itself to death the money will fall out of the sky.”
With a snip of the ribbon and the donation of a large check, Ribeyes of Louisburg launched its grand opening festivities on Thursday. The first order of business was the presentation of this $1,000 check to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, half to be used with the Shop with the Sheriff program at Christmas and the other half to aid deputy sheriff James Williamson who was injured while attempting to break up a fight three months ago.
Dr. Haresh M. Kathard, (left) who joined the Franklin Regional Medical Center medical staff as medical director of the emergency department in April, checks the blood pressure of Bill McKenney during a Health Fair at the Lake Royale Clubhouse this week.
The Royal Elementary School honor roll for the third nine-week grading period has been announced and includes:
ZEBULON - Etta Vee Liles Sherron, 83, died Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Funeral service was Thursday, June 10, at Hephzibah Baptist Church, Wendell, with the Rev. Bill Sanderson officiating. Burial was in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Zebulon.
LOUISBURG - Beulah Ayscue Finch, 75, died Thursday, June 10, 2010 at her home. Graveside services will be Saturday, June 12, at 11 a.m. at Lancaster Memorial Park, with Minister Kendell Riddick officiating.
MOUNT HOLLY - Lynn Hoffman Billings, 56, of Mount Holly, NC, passed Tuesday June 8, 2010 at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
Brian D. Miller and Tracie Winstead, Louisburg/Terrell Lane band directors, have announced the Louisburg Band awards.
At the annual Louisburg Band Awards ceremony held in early June, band students at Terrell Lane Middle School and Louisburg High School were recognized for special achievements. All students were recognized for service to the band. Band seniors were recognized for seven years’ worth of commitment, dedication, and loyalty to the band program.
Bunn Elementary School students and staff rallied during the last week of school — despite a hectic schedule — to collect cans of food and other non-perishables for the 2010 United Way of Franklin County Food Drive. This group of students, above, was heading out the door on the last day of the school year on Thursday just before 1 p.m. and stopped to celebrate their school’s giving spirit.
Franklin County Schools held its annual retirement dinner Monday, June 7, at the Louisburg United Methodist Church. In all, 27 retirees were recognized for their outstanding service.
Lin Bennett, left, and Stephen Davis, recently received their Eagle pins and scarves at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at Louisburg United Methodist Church. Lin and Stephen began their Scouting adventure in 1998 as Tiger Cubs. Both advanced on to Cub Scouts and bridged over to Boy Scouts in March 2003, and both were elected to the Order of the Arrow. Stephen attended the National Order of the Arrow Convention in 2009.
Franklin County law enforcement agencies combined to make area roads safer.
Officers from Bunn, Franklinton, Louisburg and Youngsville worked the streets from May 24 through June 6 as part of the Governor Highway Safety Program’s Click It or Ticket campaign.
The Kid’s Corner in Louisburg held its graduation on May 11 at the center. Daycare director is Amy Merritt. The instructor of the class of 2010 is Tina Holden and assistant instructor is Barbara Coons.
Danette A. Cheatham of Wake Forest, daughter of Mildred and Cornelius Cheatham of Kittrell, received a Masters of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in public administration, from the University of Phoenix, Ariz., on May 9.
She is a 1989 graduate of Franklinton High School. In May 1991, she received an undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in visual communications and graphic design.
